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About SSL


A 100% PNG owned company, South Sea Lines, has been operating out of Lae for almost 40 years, providing regular shipping services to Lihir, as well as barge and tug charters throughout PNG.


SSL became majority Lihirian owned in 2012 and in 2016, MRL Capital assumed 100% ownership, buying out Lae Builders shares and ensuring ownership remained solely with Lihir landowners .


With its Head Office in Lae, South Sea Lines currently offers reliable fortnightly services to Lihir and in particular, the Lihir mine as well as to Lae manufacturers and distributors.


Its figurehead vessel is the Lihir Destiny, a 59m Landing Craft with a service speed of 8 knots and a nominal capacity of 60 x 20’ Teu. The vessel name captures the spirit of Lihir Island and is also the name of the book ’Lihir Destiny’ published by acclaimed author James Sinclair


A fleet of 3 tugs and barges compliments the Lihir Destiny, allowing short or long-term charter options for project clients


A 5,000 m2 hard stand yard and sizeable warehousing area ensures that customers cargo is handled efficiently and safely.

Timely Delivery

Regular fortnightly services to & from Lihir Island

100% PNG OWNED

Our company is 100% PNG owned and our vessels are all registered in PNG

Customer focused

Having a small but dedicated team means we  know customers personally

Dedicated Service


Our Bookings and Documentation staff work tirelessly to ensure your cargo booking and movement of cargo is seamless.


Lynn Koi leads a small, but dedicated team and ensures that close communication is kept with both shippers and the SSL Operations team.


Cargo is received six days per week and the bookings team liaise closely with internal and external customers to maximise vessel occupancy.

 

You can rely on SSL to handle your cargo with care & attention

At South Sea Lines, safety is the number one priority for our staff and the cargo that we handle. We realise that some cargo is fragile (such as reefer  or chilled  cargo) and take all necessary precautions to ensure cargo handled with care.


Our machinery operators are industry qualified and understand the need to lift and handle containers and breakbulk cargo in a safe but efficient manner at all times.

Locally focused, Internationally driven

While our vessels move locally, we think globally.


We use industry best practices, offer regular training for our seafarer crews and comply with all industry regulations regarding safety and best practices.

 

OUR SERVICES

Operating one Landing Craft and 3 Tug & Dumb Barges,  South Sea Lines has the capacity to handle regular Liner services as well as charter and project cargoes throughout Papua New Guinea


Our signature vessel is the aptly named 'Lihir Destiny', launched in 2012.


Our 3 x Tug & Dumb Barges allow the flexibility to add additional tonnage onto the Lihir route if needed, while also allowing carriage of bulk and project cargoes for various clients such as HBS, Cameron Construction, LBC, NKW, QED and many others.

Liner Services

We operate a dedicated Lae - Lihir - Lae  / container & breakbulk service on a 14 day frequency.


The purpose built Lihir Destiny has plied the route since 2012 and the vessel has completed over 250 voyages

Project Cargo

No item is too big or too difficult to handle for our vessels and our 150t cranes.


Our foreman are highly skilled in handling of over dimensional cargo and all rigging and lifting gear is annually certified by All-Rig Services, Australia

Charter Cargo

Our landing craft and dumb barges are capable of moving any cargoes anywhere within PNG waters.


Gravel, Cement, Machinery, Timber, we have carried them all and can carry those and many other types of cargo.

Our Staff

South Sea Lines employs upwards of 90 staff at any one time, including just two non residents. 


Shipboard staff numbers 50, while 40 staff are involved in operations, accounts, HR and marine services.  South Sea Lines is an industry recognised equal opportunity employer, while significant resources are invested in training of seafarers throughout PNG.


South Sea Lines  is a major supporter of the PNG Maritime College in Madang and groups of seafarers regularly attend the college in Madang to ensure their certifications are in line with Statutory requirements.

Operations Manager

kumed waen

In charge of all operational aspects of the company, Kumed (a former Ships Captain) has a wealth of industry experience and commenced at SSL in 2014.


Reporting directly to the General Manager, Kumed ensures a timely interface between vessel ops, client requirements and marine services.

Designated PERSON ASHORE (DPA)

Cptn Andy PROUD

A naturalised PNG Citizen, Cptn Andy Proud is responsible for the day to day running of the fleet and all aspects of marine safety and compliance.


Environmental protection and vessel maintenance are other key areas under the DPA’s control.

    FINANCIA CONTROLLER 

TONY GREEN

Tony is an experienced industry professional and long-term Papua New Guinea resident.


He has a great deal of experience of PNG landowner operations and leads the finance / accounts and admin teams.  



R & D / OPS TEAM

The R & D and Operations teams are the vital hands on interface with all cargo.


R & D receives cargo and stacks according to vessel requirements. 


The Operations team loads the SSL vessels in the most efficient and safe manner.

                     Schedules

Our regular Lae - Lihir service (every 14 days) is being undertaken using our Tug & Barges at present, while the Lihir Destiny is undergoing scheduled dry docking.


Contact our Bookings Offices (Laine or Lynn) for information on the next available sailing.


     Contact us

LIHIR DESTINY DRY DOCKING


The Lihir Destiny successfully concluded her scheduled Dry Docking at Curtain Brothers dockyard at Motukea recently


During the Dry Docking, hull sandblasting and repainting occurred, as well as general repairs. 2 new Gensets were also installed. Mandatory surveys were undertaken on safety & firefighting gear, the rescue boat and radio equipment



CANCER AWARENESS


South Sea Lines continued with its commitment to improve the livelihood of staff, by hosting Cancer & General Health Awareness seminars during the year.


In April 2025, Joy Olali, from he PNG Cancer Relief Society, gave an enlightening talk and presentation on the main types of cancers, their symptoms and in particular the health hazards of smoking and chewing buai.


 She emphasised self checking and early testing if unsure.


Southern Cross Assurance (who provide medical coverage to South Sea Lines staff) gave a presentation to SSL operations staff in early November. They highlighted the benefits of the scheme for employees and their dependents.


Health & Safety

Southern Cross Assurance reps with SSL Ops staff

Health & Safety

Southern Cross Assurance reps with SSL Ops staff

Cancer Awareness

PNG Cancer Relief Society representative Ms Joy Olali with SSL Admin staff

WHARF REHABILITATION


Trans Pacific Piling advise that works to rehabilitate the South Sea Lines Wharf should be completed by early January 2026.


Currently just 39 metres of steel reinforcement is left to install, followed by the concrete pour for the remaining slab. Design changes, weather and other unforeseen delays have seen the rehabilitation stretch out further than planned. Having at least half the wharf out of action at any one time has created challenges for the operations team.


The usefulness of the new wharf face is evident already. The new bow ramp area allows operations for roro machinery to continue though high and low tides, whereas previously this would disrupt operations. 


Two vessels are now able to work at the berth at the same time, greatly increasing ability to handle charter and project vessels and cargo.

Issues faced

Whole sections of the original wharf had to be completely removed. This required removal & disposal of thousands of tonnes of material.

Bow Door Access

This specially lowered section means difficulties experienced previously with ramp height udring high or low tides are noticeably reduced.

Pile Driving

Piles were placed upwards of 30 metres into the sea floor to accommodate the heavy duty design of the new wharf.